We have no time to stand and stare....

You often see animals just standing and staring, and who knows what they are thinking?

These days, I find myself questioning the reason why people are in such a rush all the time, and thinking, well, where does this state of living get us? We rush here, we get stressed there; and to what purpose? Does it make us enjoy our life anymore? Do we get any more done?

We all know that many people thrive on adrenalin; but sometimes, it is good to stand still and take in the moment, to breathe and live the here and now, rather than the past or the future; and to feel emotion, and love and wonder, rather than exist on the usual ‘we must', ‘we ought', ‘we should', ‘no time' and panic.

After all, if we do rush, what quality of life do we have? It's a question worth taking stock of, especially as a new year often gives us a chance to review the way things have gone in the last year and do stuff differently in the next.

The question reminds me of the poem by Welshman W.H. Davies, who wrote this poem

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep and cows;

No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass;

No time to see, in broad day light, Streams full of stars, like skies at night;

No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait til her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare

So take a few minutes to stand and stare as often as you can. Look for beauty and wonder in your world and spend some time gazing at it and enjoying the view. Go outside at night and look up at the stars and gaze in wonder at them as they twinkle away at you.

And then ask yourself what it has done for your state of mind, your focus and love of life and this earth. And when you're saying to yourself, "so much to do, so little time," repeat to yourself Davies' poem:

"A poor life this if, full of care,

we have no time to stand and stare."

So take some time to stand, & stare, escape from the routine of life & give your body, mind & soul a chance to rest..